Crewe Alexandra: Mark Ellis keen to end bad run
MARK Ellis is keen to make sure Crewe do not have to call too much on their powers of resolve.
The Alex have made a habit of going a goal behind, but still gaining points in League One matches this season – and in fact boast the best recovery rate in the division.
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Mark Ellis in action for Crewe Alexandra.
That was never more evident than in the reverse fixture against today's opponents Colchester United, when Crewe were 2-0 down by half-time at Gresty Road, yet won 3-2.
Steve Davis's side have only scored the first goal in 14 of 34 league games so far this season, going on to win on nine of those occasions.
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They have had to fight back to gain four wins and three draws in matches when they have conceded the first goal.
Centre-half Ellis admits they cannot keep leaving themselves with so much work to do, especially on the back of disappointing defeats to Hartlepool United and Portsmouth.
"We needed a big comeback against Colchester last time out and we got there in the end," he said.
"There have been plenty of times this season when we have had to do that and dig out results. Perhaps we have to score first to get a good result this time.
"We've had two losses on the bounce and it's vital we go there and try to get three points. The sooner we get out of this little bad run the better."
Colchester, like the last two sides Crewe have faced, are in the midst of a relegation scrap.
The Us sit just two places and three points off the drop zone and could fall into the bottom four if the Alex win this afternoon while Oldham and Scunthorpe pick up results.
Ellis, however, has come to realise no-one can take anything for granted in this division.
He said: "You can't really put your finger on why we played poorly in the last two games, it's disappointing.
"Looking at the table we should have been winning, but those two teams were prepare to dig out results and perhaps we didn't play as well as we should.
"Colchester are struggling in the table too, but we have just lost to two teams in the bottom four and we know this is going to be another tough game for us."
Ellis reckons three points for Crewe are just as important as they are to the home side as the League One table finally begins to open up.
The Alex are 14th, 13 points off the play-offs, but with two games in hand.
Ellis said: "The teams down there are fighting, but wins for us are still vital, we're still looking for the play-offs. We are not a million miles away from where we want to be.
"We've got to keep plugging away and see where we end up."
The fixture list has worn heavy on Crewe over the past month and this week was the last time without a mid-week match until late April.
Ellis said: "Maybe a couple of lads are tiring, but we've got a big squad and if Steve thinks that is the case he won't hesitate to change the team.
"It's been good to have a free week for training. There's been a lot of energy, everyone has had a smile on their faces enjoying themselves. Hopefully we can take that into the Colchester game and come home with a win."
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